|
You are here: Home > Changes in rainfall & water systems > Western Australia
Western Australia (WA)
Predicted climate changes are expected to bring about dryer and hotter conditions in Western Australia throughout this century (Passey 2003). In particular, rainfall is most likely to decrease by up to 10 - 30% in winter and spring months by 2100 (Passey 2003). Such events will incur a general drying of the land with associated soil moisture levels significantly decreasing. Observed trends over the middle decades of the 20th century highlighted a radical decrease in winter rainfall throughout the southwest by 85 - 90% (Hughes 2002). The noted decreases in rainfall saw even sharper reductions in stream-flow in the southwest. Here, a 42% decline in the annual inflow into Perth's surface water supply has been recorded after a 15 - 20% decrease in rainfall since the mid 1970's (Hughes 2002).
 Water for cities: Perth, WA
|
